Post Learning Commons Opens Doors to Infinite Possibilities

John R. ’60 and Maryanne Post

John R. Post ’60 credits Saint Joseph’s University and the Ignatian-based undergraduate education he received for instilling the values that contributed to his personal and professional success as the founder of Post Precision Castings.

Coming to Hawk Hill from Reading, Pa., as a young man, Post underwent a transformational education steeped in service, ethical decision making and the greater good. “Prior to my Jesuit education at SJU, my life was empty, and now it’s filled to overflowing,” he said.

Post fully acknowledges the life-altering experience he received at SJU and what it can do for the generations of Hawks following him. Because of that experience, Post, together with his wife Maryanne, was compelled to make the opportunity more readily available for SJU students.

The John and Maryanne Hennings Post Learning Commons has had a markedly positive impact on the campus community since it opened more than a year ago. In 1999, the Posts made a leadership gift to renovate Villiger Hall into John R. Post Hall, complete with state of the art networking and in-class computer technology for several academic departments, including psychology, sociology and interdisciplinary health.

“I attribute much credit for my transition to SJU, and hence, my expression of thanks to the University’s capital campaign which established and developed the Post Learning Commons,” said the 2006 Shield of Loyola recipient.

Located at the center of the Saint Joseph’s campus, the Post Learning Commons is a three-story, 35,000-square-foot addition to the existing Drexel Library. Together, the Post Learning Commons and Drexel Library comprise the John R. Post ’60 Academic Center.

Students are drawn there every day to study and take breaks; to meet as groups for project discussions or read silently in a quiet alcove; to conceive presentations and practice delivering them; to charge up with a cup of coffee and snack from the Crossroads Café or to take solace in North Lounge with its soothing rock garden view.

“(John) has such a rapport with the barista,” noted Maryanne Post, who is equally enamored with visiting the Learning Commons. “I just love coming in and seeing all the students studying and working at the computers.”

When the Post Learning Commons opened in March 2012, complete with on-site writing, career development and learning resource centers, student body reaction was excitement and opinion was unanimous in its adulation:

“It is a quiet, comfortable place that is conducive to intellectual thought and writing.”

“The atmosphere of others studying and working hard creates a productive energy.”

“It has a space for every mood I’m in; the first floor allows me to talk, the second to study with friends, and the third really allows for some in-the-zone studying.”

“It is hard to believe it’s been a year since the Post Learning Commons opened,” said University Librarian Evelyn C. Minick. “It’s become such an integral part of campus life that it seems like it’s been here all along.”

To commemorate its first anniversary, students, faculty and staff gathered in the Post Learning Commons’ glass-enclosed atrium for a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” and cake frosted to look like the exterior of the building.

Attendees wrote thank you notes to the Posts. The full extent of how much the students enjoy their new study and collaborative space shined through in their more than 85 notes:

“Words can’t begin to describe my gratitude. I can only hope that through my education at SJU, I may one day be able to give back to SJU as you have.”

“PLC has changed the whole concept of the library. It has revolutionized learning here on campus.”

“Not only have I spent hours studying and preparing here, but many of my favorite memories have taken place with friends here in the library.”

On the surface, the campus impact of the Posts’ generosity is quite evident: an environment that sparks creativity, innovation, collaboration and active engagement in learning.

The true impact of the Post Learning Commons may not be known for years. No one yet knows what germ of an idea the Post Learning Commons has helped a student catalyze.

Will the next great poetry tome be conceived in the Learning Commons’ third floor lounge? Will a future humanitarian be moved to help solve an untenable situation in an impoverished, war-torn country after seeing a news report on the Crossroads Café’s television? Perhaps the Jesuitica collection will inspire a student to enter the Society of Jesus and become the first American-born Jesuit Pope. Could the Campbell Collection repository of food industry information serve as the impetus for a student to develop a solution to America’s obesity issues?

What is clearly evident is that the Post Learning Commons is enabling future generations of Hawks to explore any and all possibilities.

Morris Grants Provide Boost for Faculty Researchers

In 2011, longtime Saint Joseph’s University benefactor Mike Morris ’56 wanted to make a gift to his alma mater that would serve as a change agent.

Morris has always been keen on helping Saint Joseph’s University in fulfilling its academic mission through his philanthropy. He wanted this gift to be used differently from his previous philanthropic contributions.

“I was looking for something to do that didn’t involve stones and bricks,” said the former chairman of the SJU Board of Trustees. “I was thinking of a scholarship or internship.”

Mike Morris

Morris’ philanthropy at Saint Joseph’s has enriched the campus environment in many ways. He’s supported the improvement of University infrastructure, as well, naming Morris Quad, an off-campus apartment complex for upperclassmen located south of campus. He proposed the idea and subsequently made a leadership gift to name the Cardinal John P. Foley Campus Center after the 1957 Saint Joseph’s graduate who was the first SJU alumnus to be named a Cardinal in the Catholic Church.

Morris honored both of the presidents whose tenures overlapped with his serving as board chair through philanthropy. He was the lead donor in establishing the Donald I. MacLean, S.J. Chair, which is named in honor of the University’s 24th president, and held by Jesuits who are accomplished teachers and scholars in the arts and sciences. Morris also named Rashford Hall within Mandeville Hall in honor of Nicholas S. Rashford, S.J., SJU’s 25th president.

Rashford, with whom Morris teaches an EMBA class, suggested how Morris could make more of a difference for his alma mater.

“Faculty research is a hallmark of academic excellence at Saint Joseph’s. In establishing the Morris Grants for Scholarly Research, my intention is to encourage and promote faculty research and publication to further strengthen the university’s academic reputation,” he said at the time.

In each of the past two years, ten tenured and tenure-track faculty members – five each from the College of Arts & Sciences and Erivan K. Haub School of Business – have received $1,200 to further the research pursuits that cut a wide swath across many disciplines. While Morris’ name is on the grant, he trusts the deans and Provost Brice Wachterhauser to make the final funding decisions.

Faculty interest in the grants has grown exponentially since the program launched. This spring, the 33 faculty members who applied for the grants represent an increase of more than 30 percent over the program’s first year applicants. Morris has been so impressed by the quality of work the grants have helped create, he has committed another $100,000 to the fund.

“It’s easy to be a benefactor, but harder to help the faculty do good work,” said Morris, the former president of Transport International Pool, Inc.

The first complement of Morris grants rolled out in March 2012. Projects included, among others, proposals to train health promoters within the Nigerian community at St. Cyprian’s Parish in West Philadelphia; study the relationship between credit default swap rates and equity market volatility; examine pre-service and practicing teachers’ beliefs about children, caregivers and teaching in high poverty communities; and investigate the relationship between sleep and the development of young children.

“I am very grateful for the funding from the Morris Grant, which has helped me to produce significant outcomes in a more expeditious manner than otherwise would have been possible,” said theology professor Gerald Beyer, Ph.D., a member of the first class of awardees who received a grant to study worker rights and socially responsible investment in the Catholic tradition.

The second complement – awarded in January – included proposals to compose a string quartet, investigate the impact of screen size on consumers’ responses to brand integration, and analyze popular music in Super Bowl commercials in the past decade.

By establishing these grants, Morris has helped many faculty members bring their projects to fruition. And by doing that Morris himself is serving as a change agent.

The program’s first cohort – mathematics major Corinna Nöel, and biology majors Kim Nguyen and Molly Southwell – graduated in May. These young women are now ready to apply the leadership concepts they learned on Hawk Hill into the next chapters of their lives.

Anne Welsh McNulty

“It is impossible to look at these women, and their classmates behind them, and not consider the McNulty Scholars Program a success,” said Anne Welsh McNulty, who partnered with the University to establish the program in honor of her late husband, John P. McNulty ’74, a beloved former University Trustee. “These women are a wonderful example to their peers everywhere.”

Nöel earned a full scholarship and an assistantship to study food science at Cornell University; Nguyen will attend Drexel University Medical School; and Southwell will work in the Kids4Kats program at the Devereux Foundation’s Kanner Zoo before eventually returning to Hawk Hill to earn her master’s degree in biology.

The embodiment of John McNulty’s commitment to empowering women, the McNulty Scholars Program is on the leading edge of the University’s efforts to nurture the professional success of women. The result is a “multiplier effect” that will inspire other female students at Saint Joseph’s to strive for leadership positions.

“Being a McNulty Scholar shaped me into the woman I am,” Nöel said. “I see how I’ve grown personally and academically. The McNulty Scholars Program gave me the push to embrace new experiences. Throughout my career, I will strive to be the strong, intelligent and inspiring leader that the McNulty Program encourages. It would be amazing to be able to come back to SJU one day and tell the younger McNulty Scholars my story.”

McNulty Scholars hone their leadership skills through a powerful combination of mentorship, summer research opportunities, professional internships, a senior capstone experience, networking and professional development.

“The McNulty Scholars are immersed in a challenging learning environment designed to inspire them to seek and assume leadership roles at the top of their professions,” said program director and biology professor Christina King Smith, Ph.D.

Nöel, Nguyen and Southwell made great use of their time as SJU undergraduates. They’ve consistently achieved high academic honors. Their peers and advisors have recognized them with awards for their campus leadership in an array of activities. They’ve served as mentors to other McNulty Scholars and tutors to students who’ve needed assistance. They’ve performed high-level research with faculty mentors, presented papers at international conferences and co-authored journal publications.

“What I love about the program is that it’s not purely academic,” Southwell added. “The different components – mentorship, networking, special events and capstone project – rounded out my educational experience. Through this program, I’ve learned the communication and leadership skills that will translate into whatever I do with my professional career.”

For Nguyen, the McNulty Scholars program helped her gain perspective on her collegiate experience.

“I didn’t want to fly through my classes and just focus on achieving the grades that would get me into med school. I wanted to see the bigger picture,” she said.

Anne Welsh McNulty has committed to partnering with the University to expand the program on a number of levels. This fall, the incoming class of McNulty Scholars will have four women, an increase of one student over the first four cohorts. The program has been expanded to include three McNulty Associates, who receive partial tuition scholarships, and five McNulty Fellows, who gain research experience, leadership training and career development as juniors and seniors.

“It’s amazing to see how brightly the inaugural McNulty Scholars have already blazed a trail in research and medicine; a path almost as brilliant as the ones they have set for themselves going forward on their paths to medical school, graduate research and beyond,” Anne Welsh McNulty added.

With its expansion, the program’s multiplier effect will be growing exponentially, enhancing Saint Joseph’s ability to prepare more deserving, bright young women for leadership roles in the STEM fields.

Inspiring Stories of Aspiring to Excellence

Dear Friends,

My first year as president has been a gratifying experience. Most recently, I was filled with great joy and pride as I presided over my first commencement ceremonies – Saint Joseph’s 162nd – on May 11.

A cloudy day could not cast a shadow on the spirits of 2,600 proud, accomplished Hawks as we celebrated their academic achievement and welcomed them into the Saint Joseph’s University alumni community. Our undergraduates were inspired to hear Elisabeth Hagen, M.D. ’91, who encouraged them to aspire to live greater. Among those graduating were three impressive young women, the first cohort of John P. McNulty Scholars for Excellence in Science and Math. It was a milestone that I was immensely proud to share with all the members of the Class of 2013.

Every graduate has a story. And for every story, there’s a source of inspiration that serves as a beacon of light to illuminate the path of professional integrity and personal and spiritual growth. In this edition of the President’s Report, we focus on three stories that are aglow with Ignatian tradition. Serving as wonderful examples of people who embody lives with and for others, these benefactors made a philanthropic impact that enabled Saint Joseph’s and our students to aspire for excellence.

In each case, our featured donors – Anne Welsh McNulty, Mike Morris ’56, and John R. ’60 and Maryanne Post – recognized an opportunity to provide the thought leadership and resources to enable Saint Joseph’s students and faculty to live greater. Their creativity and commitment to the value of our Catholic, Jesuit education inspire the educational experience of our students – today and into the future.

I’m grateful to these and every one of our donors who continue to support advancing Saint Joseph’s mission. I hope you will enjoy reading these inspiring stories as much as I enjoy sharing them with you.